FasTracks must include all, metro-area representatives say
FasTracks, RTD, Cal Marsella, light rail, metro, corridor
By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Metro government representatives told RTD on Thursday that it would be unfair to cut back FasTracks corridors as RTD has proposed to meet its ongoing cost and budget crisis because it leaves some communities with nothing from the program.
They told RTD General Manager Cal Marsella during a 90- minute meeting that however the agency proceeds, it must treat all the communities equitably because they all are paying taxes for the regional system.
One suggestion the RTD staff has made to meet a shortfall of at least $2.3 billion is to postpone three new corridors that would serve the north metro area and Aurora, as well as three extensions to existing rail corridors.
Under that scenario, only the West Corridor light rail to Lakewood and Golden, and two heavy rail commuter corridors to Denver International Airport and to Arvada-Wheat Ridge would go forward on schedule. Only environmental clearance, preliminary engineering and railroad right-of-way agreements would proceed on the others.
But local stakeholders frowned on that, as well as an alternate suggestion to stretch out the construction schedule, from the original 2017 to as late as 2034, for building the final corridors.
"Regional equity will be a huge consideration for us," said Debra Baskett, Broomfield's transportation manager.
"We would have a rebellion," Gene Putman, Thornton's transportation planner, told the group. "Our little coalition would fall apart if some areas got theirs and we got nothing."
Putman last week suggested to the Thornton City Council that every corridor be cut back by 40 percent in length or in some other fashion, including the West Corridor already under construction, so that every part of the metro area would share the burden and incentive to finish it all.
He said the airport line should be completed because it will serve more regional traffic, but others should pick up the difference. At that, Thornton Mayor Eric Hansen said he was concerned communities in the south metro area already served might not support additional funding for the north metro area.
"I don't care if you voted for it or against it or you didn't vote at all or weren't here at that time or where you lived in the city, the bottom line is every single one of us here is paying taxes for this everywhere you go in the entire metro area," Hansen said.
RTD is considering asking for a tax increase, but Marsella said the agency will not decide on that until a private poll shows whether that would be supported.
flynnk@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5247
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September 5, 2008
8:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
warrengfunk7 writes:
RTD is considering another option as well, building all the lines on time and at full length, but just building the outer half of each line as a single track for now - then upgrading it to duel track in the future. Single tracking on the outer half of these lines, would cut material costs significantly. Passing lanes would allow for adequate service to still be provided. on the single track sections, peak hour trains would likely have to run once every 20 or 30 minutes, instead of aonce every 15 minutes. But I think people can work with that and it would be upgraded in the future, as population grows and more funding became available.
September 5, 2008
8:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
SteveFesch writes:
Speaking of "fairness". What about the thousands of land owners who own land on the 120 mile corridor RTDevelopment is gobbling up via eminent domain?
If the process was fair those land owners would be able to replace their homes and businesses. It's not happening.
September 5, 2008
10:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
SteveFesch writes:
Let me clarify my statement. People seem to think RTD is offering Fair Market value. If that were true than a person who owns a house being taken by RTD via eminent domain would be able to buy a similar house nearby right? The reality is people are being offered a fraction of what they need to replace the homes and businesses they had. While the politicians and planners say they aren't being treated fairly there are people that are being made HOMELESS and their businesses and income are being destroyed.
RTD is already forcing tenants and businesses out and they don't even have possession of people's property yet.
Justice will come as the lies and deception at RTD will be exposed as they start moving dirt and developing other people's land for purposes other than the light rail. It's not secret as RTD has already admitted that this is their intentions. You see RTD skirts around the issue saying "RTD is using eminent domain but they won't be doing the developing".
September 5, 2008
2:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
KCalongne writes:
"I don't care if you voted for it or against it or you didn't vote at all or weren't here at that time or where you lived in the city, the bottom line is every single one of us here is paying taxes for this everywhere you go in the entire metro area," Hansen said.
What an astute observation. RTD devised a plan to reach everyone, regardless of whether it made sense, to get the tax passed. The Bolt to Longmont is one of their least used busses. Rail if ever built will operate only once an hour some times of the day to Longmont -- why? It's only there for window dressing -- to get Longmont votes. Does the NW Corridor need two modes of supposedly "rapid" transit? Of course it does not. Bus Rapid Transit does not allow mayors to feel they can seize private property for tax-subsidized, high-density development unless there's a rail line. Ridership for rail in he NW Corridor (which will take 12 minutes longer from Boulder than Bus Rapid Transit) is expected to be so low, RTD would not attempt to get federal funding for it. And they want us to trust that a new tax would get Denver all they promised? They've just broken ground and are billions in debt. What new unforeseen costs would they next pass off as no one's fault -- only all the lines would have been started. Or, is that the idea?